The invention generally relates to a refrigerator for storage of fruits, vegetables, drinking water etc., in particular to a refrigerator comprising an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder operable on AC and DC power supply.
Background of Invention
A refrigerator is a device that transfers heat from the inside of the refrigerator to its external environment so that the inside of the refrigerator is cooled to a temperature below an ambient temperature. In doing so, the refrigerator preserves the perishable products for longer time duration. Generally, operation of the refrigerator is supported using electricity.
Typically, in developing countries, a majority of population lives in rural areas deficit of power supply. Owing to the scarcity of power supply, operation of the refrigerator is not feasible resulting in a huge wastage of edible products. According to an estimate around 59 metric tons of fruits and vegetables are wasted annually due to lack of the refrigerator and/or power supply facility. In addition to the scarcity of power, monetary aspects also play an important role in implementation of refrigerators. Thus, the aforementioned factors strongly sum up having a need of low-cost domestic refrigerator which can be afforded by population residing in rural areas. In past, several attempts have already been made to provide a solution to this problem.
The present invention overcomes certain drawbacks by providing an improved structure that serves all the functionality of a natural water cooler.
Summary of Invention
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified version form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the present invention, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the present invention.
In one aspect of the present invention, a portion of a refrigerator is discussed. The portion of the refrigerator comprises an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder such that the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder define a water storage chamber therebetween and a storage chamber confined within the inner cylinder. The outer cylinder of the refrigerator is provided with a flange for fan fitment, where the flange for fan fitment is fitted with a first fan. The outer

cylinder is further provided with an air inlet port to receive incoming air provided by the first fan. The inner cylinder is provided with at least one air vent to pass the incoming air to the storage chamber. The storage chamber is provided with an air outlet port to release the incoming air from the refrigerator.
The portion of the refrigerator further comprises a first water inlet port to receive water in the water storage chamber, a first water overflow port to drain out excess water from the water storage chamber and a water outlet port to supply cold water from the water storage chamber.
In another aspect of the present invention, a control panel of the refrigerator is discussed. The control panel unit can be positioned over the storage chamber such that a water outlet tap of the control panel unit is operably connected to the water outlet port of the portion of the refrigerator. The control panel unit comprises a toggle switch such that the toggle switch ensures a supply of A.C while turned to one direction and a supply of D.C when turned to another direction, a solar unit control panel and a temperature control unit. The temperature control unit comprises a first temperature controller and a display unit. The first temperature controller adjusts rpm of the first fan fitted in the flange and the display unit displays rpm of the first fan fitted in the flange and temperature of the storage chamber as provided by the first temperature controller. The temperature control unit further comprises a second temperature controller which adjusts rpm of the second fan and another display unit to display rpm of the second fan and temperature outside the storage chamber as provided by the second temperature controller.
The control panel unit further comprises a single mode power supply (SMPS) and a control panel door that covers the control panel unit7, the solar unit control panel, and the temperature control unit. The control panel unit further comprises a main door that provides access to the storage chamber, a door handle for opening or closing the main door, a hinge that allows movement of the door handle and the water outlet tap.
In another aspect of the present invention, a lower half casing of the refrigerator is discussed. The lower half casing is positioned in a manner to cover lower portion of the outer cylinder. The lower half casing comprises one or more lower clamp supports, preferably made of stainless steel, a High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filter and a second fan, which ensures incoming of filtered air from surroundings.
In another aspect of the present invention, an upper half casing of the refrigerator is discussed. The upper half casing is positioned in a manner to cover upper portion of the outer cylinder such that the upper half casing is joined by the lower half casing through a hinge. The

upper half casing comprises one or more upper clamp supports, preferably made of stainless steel, a second water overflow port, a second water inlet port and the hinge.
It is an objective of the present invention to run the refrigerator on Alternating Current (AC) as well as on Direct Current (DC) with solar charging and therefore, can be used in areas where there is scarcity of electricity. Further, the cylindrical shape of the storage chamber results in a higher water contact surface area and simultaneously a compact design. The refrigerator described herein, also uses filtered air free from microbes and pathogens thereby creating microbe-free environment, enhancing the shelf life of products and avoiding use of harmful exhaust gases or harmful refrigerants such as, but not limiting to, chlorofluorocarbon's CFC's.
Also, the underlying principle in accordance with the present invention involves a forced evaporative cooling and conductive cooling simultaneously. As would be understood, the refrigerator described herein can be used in various applications and food grade stain steel (SS 316) used in casing of the refrigerator ensures safety of water, fruits and vegetables.
Further advantages and other details and of the present invention will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. It is to be understood that the following detailed description is explanatory only and is not restrictive of the present invention.
Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings
To further clarify the advantages and features of the invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a sample isometric view of a portion of a refrigerator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2(a) and Figure 2(b) illustrates a sample isometric and 2-Dimensional front view along with some additional components of a control panel unit respectively, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 3 illustrates a sample isometric view of a lower half casing of the refrigerator, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and
Figures 4 illustrates a sample isometric view of an upper half casing of the refrigerator, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
It may be noted that to the extent possible, like reference numerals have been used to represent like elements in the drawings. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of aspects of the invention. Furthermore, the one or more elements may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefits of the description herein.
Detailed Description
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof. Throughout the patent specification, a convention employed is that in the appended drawings, like numerals denote like components.
Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment", "another embodiment" or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar

language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems. Various embodiments of the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 illustrates a sample isometric view (100) of a portion of a refrigerator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The portion of the refrigerator may also be referred to as double jacketed cylinders, comprises an outer cylinder (106) and an inner cylinder (107) such that the outer cylinder (106) and the inner cylinder (107) define a water storage chamber (104) therebetween and a storage chamber (108) confined within the inner cylinder (107). The outer cylinder (106) of the refrigerator is provided with a flange for fan fitment (101), where the flange for fan fitment (101) is fitted with a first fan (not shown in the figure). The outer cylinder (106) is further provided with an air inlet port (110) to receive incoming air.
The inner cylinder (107) is provided with at least one air vent (109) to pass the incoming air to the storage chamber (108). The storage chamber (108) is provided with an air outlet port (111) to release the incoming air from the refrigerator. The portion of the refrigerator further comprises a first water inlet port (102) to receive water in the water storage chamber (104), a first water overflow port (103) to drain out excess water from the water storage chamber (104) and a water outlet port (105) to supply cold water from the water storage chamber (104).
In an example, the flange for fan fitment (101) supports the installation of the first fan so as to provide a forced draft of incoming air at the air inlet port (110) and into the water storage chamber (104). The forced draft of incoming air strikes with the water stored in the water storage chamber (104), then the resultant cold air travels through the at least one air vent (109) thereby reducing the temperature of the storage chamber (108) and increasing the shelf life of perishable products stored in the storage chamber (108). In an example, the forced draft of incoming air is provided by the first fan rated 12V DC. The striking of the forced draft of air with the water
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stored in the water storage chamber (104) results into the outer cylinder (106) to provide conductive cooling and the water inside the inner cylinder (107) to provide evaporative cooling.
In an example, the refrigerator is selectively operable on at least one of AC and DC power supply. In an example, the outer cylinder (106) and the inner cylinder (107) of the refrigerator may be made of an earthen material such as terracotta. In an example, the storage chamber (108) can store fruits & vegetables with a storage capacity of but not limited to, 10 kg approximately.
Further, the first water inlet port (102) is provided at the top of water storage chamber (104) while water outlet port (105) is provided at the bottom of water storage chamber (104). The first water inlet port (102) provides a means for filling water in the water storage chamber (104) and the water outlet port (105) provides cold water for drinking purpose and is connected to filtration system through pipe.
Furthermore, the air inlet port (110) serves the purpose for incoming of the filtered air. The air outlet port (111) serves the purpose of throwing out heat and gases like carbon dioxide generated inside the refrigerator. The first water overflow port (103) is provided at the rear end of the water storage chamber (104) ensuring drainage of water out from the refrigerator once the desired level of water is achieved in the water storage chamber (104).
Figure 2 (a) and Figure 2 (b) illustrates a sample isometric view and 2-Dimensional front view along with some additional components of a control panel unit (200) respectively, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to Figure 1, Figure 2 (a) and Figure 2 (b), the control panel unit (200) can be positioned over the storage chamber (108) such that a water outlet tap (208) of the control panel unit (200) is operably connected to the water outlet port (105) of the portion of the refrigerator. The control panel unit (200) comprises a toggle switch (201) such that the toggle switch (201) ensures a supply of A.C while turned to one direction and a supply of D.C when turned to another direction, a solar unit control panel (203) and a temperature control unit (204).
The temperature control unit (204) comprises a first temperature controller (2041) and a display unit (2043). The first temperature controller (2041) adjusts rpm of the first fan fitted in the flange and the display unit (2043) displays rpm of the first fan fitted in the flange and temperature of the storage chamber (108) as provided by the first temperature controller (2041). The temperature control unit (204) further comprises a second temperature controller (2042) to
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adjust rpm of the second fan (not shown) and another display unit (2044) to display rpm of the second fan (not shown) and temperature outside the storage chamber (108) as provided by the second temperature controller (2042).
The control panel unit (200) further comprises a single mode power supply (SMPS) (205) and a control panel door (202) that covers the control panel unit (200), , the solar unit control panel (203), and the temperature control unit (204).
The control panel unit (200) further comprises a main door (209) that provides access to the storage chamber (108); a door handle (206) for opening or closing the main door (209), a hinge (207) that allows movement of the main door (209), preferably in an in-out position and the water outlet tap (208) preferably made of SS304 grade stainless steel to provide filtered drinking water filtered using a filter provided between the water outlet port (105) and the water outlet tap (208).
In an example, the solar unit control panel (203) serves the purpose of charging a battery (210) rated 12V 42A, through a photovoltaic solar panel (211) ensuring the constant supply voltage and also indicates low charging conditions. Further, the photovoltaic solar panel (211) maybe put under sunlight directly for charging the battery (210).
In an example, the single mode power supply SMPS (205) convert power from A.C to D.C, and in absence of A.C supply the solar unit control panel (203) installed inside the control panel unit (200) provides a provision for D.C power supply.
Figure 3 illustrates a sample isometric view of a lower half casing (300) of the refrigerator, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
The lower half casing (300) made of stainless steel (SS304) and is positioned in a manner to cover lower portion of the outer cylinder (106). The lower half casing (300) comprises one or more lower clamp supports (301,302), preferably made of stainless steel, a High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filter (303) and a second fan (304). In one example, the second fan (304) is provided below the High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filter (303) to ensure the forced supply of air through the High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filter (303). In an example, the lower clamp supports (301,302) are provided for holding the refrigerator in a fixed position and restrict the movement of the refrigerator. In one implementation, the lower clamp supports (301,302) are provided with cushions.
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In an example, the High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filter (303) ensures the filtration of the incoming air and removes dust, bacteria, hairs, pathogens, viruses, molds, spores, etc. in air while preventing them from entering into the lower half casing (300).
Figure 4 illustrates a sample isometric view of an upper half casing (400) of the refrigerator, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4, the upper half casing (400) made of stainless steel (SS304) and is positioned in a manner to cover upper portion of the outer cylinder (106) such that the upper half casing (400) is joined by the lower half casing (300) through a hinge (405).The upper half casing (400) comprises one or more upper clamp supports (401, 402) , preferably made of stainless steel, a second water overflow port (403), a second water inlet port (404) and the hinge (405).
In an example, the upper clamp supports (401,402) are provided for holding the refrigerator in a fixed position and restrict the movement of the refrigerator. In an implementation, the upper clamp supports (401,402) are provided with cushions.
In an example, the second water overflow port (403) is coupled to the first water overflow port (103) to remove excess water as water overflows from the water storage chamber (104). Further, the second water inlet port (404) is coupled to the first water inlet port (102) to receive water in the water storage chamber (104). Embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of clarity and understanding. However, it will be appreciated that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the present invention. Thus, although the invention is described with reference to specific embodiments and figures thereof, the embodiments and figures are merely illustrative, and not limiting of the invention.

We claim:

A refrigerator comprising:
• an outer cylinder (106) and an inner cylinder (107) defining a water storage chamber (104) therebetween and a storage chamber (108) confined within the inner cylinder (107) to store perishable products;
• a flange for fan fitment (101) in the outer cylinder (106);
• a first fan fitted in the flange for fan fitment (101) to provide a forced draft of incoming air;
• an air inlet port (110) in the outer cylinder (106) to receive the incoming air;
• at least one air vent (109) in the inner cylinder (107) to pass the incoming air to the storage chamber (108);
• an air outlet port (111) in the storage chamber (108) to release the incoming air from the refrigerator;
• a first water inlet port (102) to receive water in the water storage chamber (104);
• a first water overflow port (103) to drain out excess water from the water storage chamber (104);
• a water outlet port (105) to supply cold water from the water storage chamber (104);
• a lower half casing (300) for the outer cylinder (106), the lower half casing (300) having one or more lower clamp supports (301, 302), a High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filter (303), and a second fan (304);
• an upper half casing (400) for the outer cylinder (106), the upper half casing (400) having one or more upper clamp supports (401, 402), a second water overflow port

(403) for coupling with the first water overflow port (103), a second water inlet port
(404) for coupling with the first water inlet port (102), a hinge (405) to join the upper half casing (400) with the lower half casing (300); and
• a control panel unit (200) to control various functions of the refrigerator.
2. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the refrigerator is selectively operable on one of: AC and DC power supply.
3. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer cylinder (106) and the inner cylinder (107) are made of an earthen material.

4. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower half casing (300) and the upper
half casing (400) are made of stainless steel.
5. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer cylinder (106) provides
conductive cooling and the inner cylinder (107) provides evaporative cooling.
6. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control panel unit (200) comprises one
or more of following components:
• a toggle switch (201) to toggle between AC supply and DC power supply;
• a solar unit control panel (203) to control functions pertaining to solar unit;
• a temperature control unit (204) to control temperature inside the refrigerator;
• a single mode power supply SMPS (205) to convert AC power to DC power;
• a control panel door (202) to cover the control panel unit (200), the single mode power supply SMPS (205), the solar unit control panel (203), and the temperature control unit (204);
• a main door (209) to provide an access to the storage chamber (108);
• a door handle (206) for opening or closing of the main door (209) of the control panel unit (200);
• a hinge (207) to allow the movement of the door handle (206); and
• a water outlet tap (208) to provide drinking water filtered by a filter provided between the water outlet port (105) and the water outlet tap (208).
7. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the temperature control unit (204) further
comprises:
• a first temperature controller (2041) to adjust rpm of the first fan fitted in the flange; and
• a display unit (2043) to display rpm of the first fan fitted in the flange and temperature of the storage chamber (108) as provided by the first temperature controller (2041).
8. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the temperature control unit (204) further
comprises:
• a second temperature controller (2042) to adjust rpm of the second fan (304); and
• a display unit (2044) to display rpm of the second fan (304) and temperature outside the storage chamber (108) as provided by the second temperature controller (2042).

9. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower clamp supports (301, 302) are
provided with a cushion.
10. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper clamp supports (401, 402) are
provided with a cushion.